Leeds turned down Parkin offer

Leeds United’s new owners turned down a takeover offer from Leeds businessman Steve Parkin, according to a statement released through his solicitor.

Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner has refused to confirm or deny whether the club have received an offer from Parkin, a lifelong Leeds fan, since his interest in taking control emerged last Thursday.

But Parkin’s solicitor Guy Jackson, of Cobbetts law firm in Leeds, revealed that negotiations had taken place and an offer had been made which had been rejected.

Jackson told The Observer on his client’s behalf: “There has been speculation in the media concerning negotiations between Mr Parkin and the owners of Leeds United.

“Our client is most disappointed that his name and interest in the club has been released to the media, despite clear requests for anonymity.

“We can confirm that Mr Parkin, on behalf of himself and other significant parties, entered into negotiations in good faith with the owners of the club and which resulted in an offer being made to acquire the club.

“That offer was not accepted and has now lapsed.”

Parkin’s offer is reported to have been worth £20m (€30m).

Leeds moved a huge step closer to relegation today with their 2-1 defeat at home to Portsmouth and, with the club still in debt despite last month’s takeover and facing the prospect of selling star players in the summer, Leeds fans will be wondering why the current board have rejected Parkin’s offer.

When Leeds announced that a Krasner-led consortium had taken over the club on March 19 around £80m (€120.1m) worth of debt was removed.

But Leeds are still believed to owe around £30m (€45.1m) and there have been reports that a £15m (€22.5m) loan from Jack Petchey has to be repaid in July.